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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

General anaesthetic

4 replies

Farin · 27/02/2023 22:00

Hi, does anyone have any experience with general anaesthetic during pregnancy?

I have to have an operation, and it requires me to have GA.

I'm worried if it will have any impact on my baby's health, physically and mentally (currently 22 weeks pregnant) now and after birth.

Thanks

🙏🏼

OP posts:
Sunshine2243 · 27/02/2023 22:05

Hi, best to speak directly to the consultant doing the surgery about your specific risk level as it would change patient to patient, but from what I understand is its generally low risk in pregnancy and they wouldn't do it in your circumstance unless essential/low risk.

For example, even with some C-sections some mums want to be put under GA for anxiety or other reasons, and all it does is make the baby a bit sleepy.

Hope all goes well.

Leaf86 · 27/02/2023 22:39

I think I would try and write some questions down for your consultant / medical team (if you haven’t already). e.g

  • what are the short term risks (if any) for the baby during the operation?
  • will the baby be monitored throughout ? If not, why not? Will I be offered a scan afterwards?
  • what are the long term / developmental risks (if any) to the baby?
  • is there a possibility of delaying the op until 24 weeks / viability?
  • can the operation be done under local anaesthetic / with blocks?
I may have needed (may still have to) a GA for hernia repair in my pregnancy - this was my list of questions to ask the doctor. They have generally been reassuring. I think GA is not a particularly good idea in the first trimester, but is performed in the second if needed.
Original poster
Farin · 27/02/2023 23:14

Leaf86 · 27/02/2023 22:39

I think I would try and write some questions down for your consultant / medical team (if you haven’t already). e.g

  • what are the short term risks (if any) for the baby during the operation?
  • will the baby be monitored throughout ? If not, why not? Will I be offered a scan afterwards?
  • what are the long term / developmental risks (if any) to the baby?
  • is there a possibility of delaying the op until 24 weeks / viability?
  • can the operation be done under local anaesthetic / with blocks?
I may have needed (may still have to) a GA for hernia repair in my pregnancy - this was my list of questions to ask the doctor. They have generally been reassuring. I think GA is not a particularly good idea in the first trimester, but is performed in the second if needed.

Thanks a lot. Some great questions to add to my list to ask the consultant.

The operation won't be done before the 24 week and probably be will be around 26 week.

Unfortunately the safest option for me is to do it sooner rather than later.

OP posts:
Original poster
Farin · 27/02/2023 23:14

Sunshine2243 · 27/02/2023 22:05

Hi, best to speak directly to the consultant doing the surgery about your specific risk level as it would change patient to patient, but from what I understand is its generally low risk in pregnancy and they wouldn't do it in your circumstance unless essential/low risk.

For example, even with some C-sections some mums want to be put under GA for anxiety or other reasons, and all it does is make the baby a bit sleepy.

Hope all goes well.

Thanks 🙏🏼

OP posts:
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